Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken hostage by Hamas nearly 11 months ago, was found dead in Gaza along with five other hostages. President Joe Biden expressed his condolences, highlighting how Goldberg-Polin was injured during a music festival for peace in Israel and was brutally attacked by Hamas. The other victims were identified as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino.
Goldberg-Polin, who was born in the United States and moved to Israel at a young age, was known as a fan of the Hapoel Jerusalem basketball team and had plans to travel the world. His parents campaigned tirelessly to bring him and the other hostages home, making media appearances and urging government action. Videos of Goldberg-Polin being injured by a grenade and later filmed by Hamas were released, with his mother calling for a compromise to end suffering on both sides.
Despite efforts to secure their release, Goldberg-Polin and the other hostages were tragically killed by Hamas before Israeli forces could reach them. The heartbreaking news of his death has devastated his family and the wider community. The incident at the music festival resulted in the death of over 1,200 people in Israel, with approximately 100 hostages still in Hamas custody. President Biden, along with many Americans, mourned the loss of Goldberg-Polin and condemned the reprehensible actions of Hamas.
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